scholarly journals Mitochondrial DNA mutations in renal disease: an overview

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa P. Govers ◽  
Hakan R. Toka ◽  
Ali Hariri ◽  
Stephen B. Walsh ◽  
Detlef Bockenhauer

AbstractKidneys have a high energy demand to facilitate the reabsorption of the glomerular filtrate. For this reason, renal cells have a high density of mitochondria. Mitochondrial cytopathies can be the result of a mutation in both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to a variety of renal manifestations. Examples of tubular manifestations are renal Fanconi Syndrome, which is often found in patients diagnosed with Kearns-Sayre and Pearson’s marrow-pancreas syndrome, and distal tubulopathies, which result in electrolyte disturbances such as hypomagnesemia. Nephrotic syndrome can be a glomerular manifestation of mitochondrial dysfunction and is typically associated with focal segmental glomerular sclerosis on histology. Tubulointerstitial nephritis can also be seen in mitochondrial cytopathies and may lead to end-stage renal disease. The underlying mechanisms of these cytopathies remain incompletely understood; therefore, current therapies focus mainly on symptom relief. A better understanding of the molecular disease mechanisms is critical in order to improve treatments.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1950
Author(s):  
Chun-Ping Huang ◽  
Yi-Wen Lin ◽  
Yu-Chuen Huang ◽  
Fuu-Jen Tsai

The eyes require a rich oxygen and nutrient supply; hence, the high-energy demand of the visual system makes it sensitive to oxidative stress. Excessive free radicals result in mitochondrial dysfunction and lead to retinal neurodegeneration, as an early stage of retinal metabolic disorders. Retinal cells are vulnerable because of their coordinated interaction and intricate neural networks. Nutraceuticals are believed to target multiple pathways and have shown neuroprotective benefits by scavenging free radicals and promoting mitochondrial gene expression. Furthermore, encouraging results demonstrate that nutraceuticals improve the organization of retinal cells and visual functions. This review discusses the mitochondrial impairments of retinal cells and the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of nutraceuticals. However, some unsolved problems still exist between laboratory study and clinical therapy. Poor bioavailability and bioaccessibility strongly limit their development. A new delivery system and improved formulation may offer promise for health care applications.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Govinda Sharma ◽  
Gerald Pfeffer ◽  
Timothy E. Shutt

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles capable of fusing, dividing, and moving about the cell. These properties are especially important in neurons, which in addition to high energy demand, have unique morphological properties with long axons. Notably, mitochondrial dysfunction causes a variety of neurological disorders including peripheral neuropathy, which is linked to impaired mitochondrial dynamics. Nonetheless, exactly why peripheral neurons are especially sensitive to impaired mitochondrial dynamics remains somewhat enigmatic. Although the prevailing view is that longer peripheral nerves are more sensitive to the loss of mitochondrial motility, this explanation is insufficient. Here, we review pathogenic variants in proteins mediating mitochondrial fusion, fission and transport that cause peripheral neuropathy. In addition to highlighting other dynamic processes that are impacted in peripheral neuropathies, we focus on impaired mitochondrial quality control as a potential unifying theme for why mitochondrial dysfunction and impairments in mitochondrial dynamics in particular cause peripheral neuropathy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4664
Author(s):  
Fabio Palumbo ◽  
Nicola Vitulo ◽  
Alessandro Vannozzi ◽  
Gabriele Magon ◽  
Gianni Barcaccia

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has always aroused interest among researchers and breeders, being a valuable resource widely exploited not only to breed F1 hybrid varieties but also to investigate genes that control stamen and pollen development. With the aim of identifying candidate genes for CMS in fennel, we adopted an effective strategy relying on the comparison between mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) of both fertile and sterile genotypes. mtDNA raw reads derived from a CMS genotype were assembled in a single molecule (296,483 bp), while a draft mtDNA assembly (166,124 nucleotides, 94 contigs) was performed using male fertile sample (MF) sequences. From their annotation and alignment, two atp6-like sequences were identified. atp6−, the putative mutant copy with a 300 bp truncation at the 5’-end, was found only in the mtDNA of CMS samples, while the wild type copy (atp6+) was detected only in the MF mtDNA. Further analyses (i.e., reads mapping and Sanger sequencing), revealed an atp6+ copy also in CMS samples, probably in the nuclear DNA. However, qPCRs performed on different tissues proved that, despite its availability, atp6+ is expressed only in MF samples, while apt6− mRNA was always detected in CMS individuals. In the light of these findings, the energy deficiency model could explain the pollen deficiency observed in male sterile flower. atp6− could represent a gene whose mRNA is translated into a not-fully functional protein leading to suboptimal ATP production that guarantees essential cellular processes but not a high energy demand process such as pollen development. Our study provides novel insights into the fennel mtDNA genome and its atp6 genes, and paves the way for further studies aimed at understanding their functional roles in the determination of male sterility.


2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (4) ◽  
pp. F367-F378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruochen Che ◽  
Yanggang Yuan ◽  
Songming Huang ◽  
Aihua Zhang

Mitochondrial dysfunction has gained recognition as a contributing factor in many diseases. The kidney is a kind of organ with high energy demand, rich in mitochondria. As such, mitochondrial dysfunction in the kidney plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Despite the recognized importance mitochondria play in the pathogenesis of the diseases, there is limited understanding of various aspects of mitochondrial biology. This review examines the physiology and pathophysiology of mitochondria. It begins by discussing mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy, before turning to inherited mitochondrial cytopathies in kidneys (inherited or sporadic mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA mutations in genes that affect mitochondrial function). Glomerular diseases, tubular defects, and other renal diseases are then discussed. Next, acquired mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney diseases is discussed, emphasizing the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, as their prevalence is increasing. Finally, it summarizes the possible beneficial effects of mitochondrial-targeted therapeutic agents for treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated kidney injury-genetic therapies, antioxidants, thiazolidinediones, sirtuins, and resveratrol-as mitochondrial-based drugs may offer potential treatments for renal diseases.


Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
RM Sainz ◽  
RJ Reiter ◽  
JC Mayo ◽  
J Cabrera ◽  
DX Tan ◽  
...  

Pregnancy is a physiological state accompanied by a high energy demand of many bodily functions and an increased oxygen requirement. Because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen, increased levels of oxidative stress would be expected. In the present study, the degree of lipid peroxidation was examined in different tissues from non-pregnant and pregnant rats after the delivery of their young. Melatonin and other indole metabolites are known to be direct free radical scavengers and indirect antioxidants. Thus the effect of pinealectomy at 1 month before pregnancy on the accumulation of lipid damage was investigated in non-pregnant and pregnant rats after the delivery of their young. Malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenal concentrations were measured in the lung, uterus, liver, brain, kidney, thymus and spleen from intact and pinealectomized pregnant rats soon after birth of their young and at 14 and 21 days after delivery. The same parameters were also evaluated in intact and pinealectomized non-pregnant rats. Shortly after delivery, lipid oxidative damage was increased in lung, uterus, brain, kidney and thymus of the mothers. No differences were detected in liver and spleen. Pinealectomy enhanced this effect in the uterus and lung. It is concluded that during pregnancy high levels of oxidative stress induce an increase in oxidative damage to lipids, which in some cases is inhibited by the antioxidative actions of pineal indoles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5628
Author(s):  
Valquíria Campos Alencar ◽  
Juliana de Fátima dos Santos Silva ◽  
Renata Ozelami Vilas Boas ◽  
Vinícius Manganaro Farnézio ◽  
Yara N. L. F. de Maria ◽  
...  

Autoinducer 2 (or AI-2) is one of the molecules used by bacteria to trigger the Quorum Sensing (QS) response, which activates expression of genes involved in a series of alternative mechanisms, when cells reach high population densities (including bioluminescence, motility, biofilm formation, stress resistance, and production of public goods, or pathogenicity factors, among others). Contrary to most autoinducers, AI-2 can induce QS responses in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and has been suggested to constitute a trans-specific system of bacterial communication, capable of affecting even bacteria that cannot produce this autoinducer. In this work, we demonstrate that the ethanologenic Gram-negative bacterium Zymomonas mobilis (a non-AI-2 producer) responds to exogenous AI-2 by modulating expression of genes involved in mechanisms typically associated with QS in other bacteria, such as motility, DNA repair, and nitrogen fixation. Interestingly, the metabolism of AI-2-induced Z. mobilis cells seems to favor ethanol production over biomass accumulation, probably as an adaptation to the high-energy demand of N2 fixation. This opens the possibility of employing AI-2 during the industrial production of second-generation ethanol, as a way to boost N2 fixation by these bacteria, which could reduce costs associated with the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, without compromising ethanol production in industrial plants.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
Pedro Moura ◽  
José Ignacio Moreno ◽  
Gregorio López López ◽  
Manuel Alvarez-Campana

University campuses are normally constituted of large buildings responsible for high energy demand, and are also important as demonstration sites for new technologies and systems. This paper presents the results of achieving energy sustainability in a testbed composed of a set of four buildings that constitute the Telecommunications Engineering School of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. In the paper, after characterizing the consumption of university buildings for a complete year, different options to achieve more sustainable use of energy are presented, considering the integration of renewable generation sources, namely photovoltaic generation, and monitoring and controlling electricity demand. To ensure the implementation of the desired monitoring and control, an internet of things (IoT) platform based on wireless sensor network (WSN) infrastructure was designed and installed. Such a platform supports a smart system to control the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting systems in buildings. Furthermore, the paper presents the developed IoT-based platform, as well as the implemented services. As a result, the paper illustrates how providing old existing buildings with the appropriate technology can contribute to the objective of transforming such buildings into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) at a low cost.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 422
Author(s):  
Zhanat Koshenov ◽  
Furkan E. Oflaz ◽  
Martin Hirtl ◽  
Johannes Pilic ◽  
Olaf A. Bachkoenig ◽  
...  

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a complex, multifunctional organelle of eukaryotic cells and responsible for the trafficking and processing of nearly 30% of all human proteins. Any disturbance to these processes can cause ER stress, which initiates an adaptive mechanism called unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore ER functions and homeostasis. Mitochondrial ATP production is necessary to meet the high energy demand of the UPR, while the molecular mechanisms of ER to mitochondria crosstalk under such stress conditions remain mainly enigmatic. Thus, better understanding the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics during ER stress is essential to combat many pathologies involving ER stress, the UPR, and mitochondria. This article investigates the role of Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R), an ER chaperone, has in enhancing mitochondrial bioenergetics during early ER stress using human neuroblastoma cell lines. Our results show that inducing ER stress with tunicamycin, a known ER stressor, greatly enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics in a time- and S1R-dependent manner. This is achieved by enhanced ER Ca2+ leak directed towards mitochondria by S1R during the early phase of ER stress. Our data point to the importance of S1R in promoting mitochondrial bioenergetics and maintaining balanced H2O2 metabolism during early ER stress.


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